Sinner keeps Azzurri alive

The young Sesto player (ATP 10) was repeatedly encouraged by the audience in the Pala Alpitour Arena in Turin, and there were fan chants at important points for Sinner. Even though things didn't look good at times, the Azzurro ultimately got a deserved and important win against Croatian Marin Cilic (ATP 30). After 2.45 hours and 3 sets he prevailed 3:6, 7:6 (7:4), 6:3. In doing so, the South Tyrolean equalized 1-1 in the quarter-finals between Italy and Croatia. For the Azzurri it was after that Lorenzo Sonego's defeat against Croatian Borna Gojo a vital victory. Now the decision comes in doubles. Here too, Italy relies on Sinner. The Sesto player will play against Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic on Fabio Fognini's team for a place in the semi-finals.

From the start, a varied tennis match developed between Sinner and Cilic. In the fourth game, the 4-year-old Croatian took the lead 33-3 with a break. Afterwards both served their serves. Although Sinner was able to fend off three set points, he was no longer able to turn the set around. In the end, Cilic won the set he deserved - without Sinner even having a chance to break.

Cilic started strongly again in the second set. South Tyrol's tennis ace had a hard time and received a break in the first game. The Croatian then confidently increased the score to 2-2. Sinner had to acknowledge his inferiority in this phase of the game and frustration set in. But Sinner continued to fight for every point, showed mental strength, managed to connect on his own serve and then equalized with his first break point in the game. In the 0th game, Sinner took the lead for the first time and immediately afterwards even had the chance to break, but he missed it. The two now had an exciting match and repeatedly forced each other to make mistakes.

In the 9th game Cilic managed the break to make it 5:4. But anyone who thought that the 20-year-old South Tyrolean would now hang his head was proven wrong: Sinner took the lead with 40:0 and converted the first break ball to make it 5:5. Afterwards both played their serve game. The tennis thriller went into a tiebreak. Here Sinner presented himself with strong nerves and used the first set point when the score was 6:4 and the opponent was serving.

The Croatian was in strong condition. © ANSA / Alessandro Di Marco

In the 3rd set, Sinner started like a fire engine and got the break without giving up a single point. But the 33-year-old Croatian also appeared in strong form and immediately got the rebreak - Sinner was able to fend off two break points in this game. Both teams then managed to score zero in their own service. Sinner repeatedly cheered when he won points, whipping himself and the audience. In the 2th game he got the break to make it 7:4. Now the momentum was on the South Tyrolean's side. He played his own serve game confidently (3:40), and immediately afterwards he got two break and match points. He was able to score the second: 15:2. The celebration on the Azzurri bench knew no bounds and the equalizer was made 6-3.

The decision to reach the semi-finals of the Davis Cup between Italy and Croatia will now be made in doubles. Sinner has to do it again here too. Simone Bolelli was originally supposed to play the game alongside Fabio Fognini against the Croatian duo Nikola Mektic/Mate Pavic. Shortly before the start of the game, Italy's national team decided to make a change and rely on South Tyrol's tennis ace. It starts at 22.25:XNUMX p.m. The semi-finals and finals will take place in Madrid at the beginning of December.

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Sinner keeps Azzurri alive

Jannik Sinner presented himself full of energy and passion in the Davis Cup quarter-finals on Monday evening.

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